While the US is trying to resolve a major measles outbreak, Conan O’Brien, TV host and comedian, has come up with a solution for parents whose kids aren’t vaccinated. Instead of allowing them to face potential isolation and teasing from vaccinated kids, he suggests a special day care just for unvaccinated kids where they can play in harmony…

The serious business of vaccination

The video is pretty funny, but for kids on the receiving end of the debate there is little humour to be found. Parents are choosing to refuse to vaccinate their kids and this is leading to tension: some children cannot be vaccinated for health reasons leaving them exposed to contracting diseases should they come into contact with unvaccinated children. “Herd immunity” cannot take place when there are unvaccinated children.

Some doctors are refusing to accept unvaccinated children as new patients to their practices as their existing patients may be exposed to potentially life-threatening illnesses. This means that unvaccinated children have fewer options when it comes to choosing health care.

There are widespread debates on the issue in schools in particular, in SA, the debate includes the topic of human rights: a child and the child’s parents have the right to make choices regarding vaccination based on their religious/personal beliefs, and this trumps the right of any government school to refuse unvaccinated kids. Private schools, however, may still make it a condition of admission to the school.

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